Mayor Basran Proclaims April 29 YMCA Healthy Kids Day

We will be reopening our health and fitness centres at the end of June and we can’t wait to welcome our Y community members back. Learn more

18/04/2018

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran has officially proclaimed April 29, 2018 as Healthy Kids Day — a day where the YMCA of Okanagan will join over 1,700 Y’s across North America in promoting the importance of children’s health. Healthy Kids Day uses free, fun and engaging activities to encourage kids and their parents to get outside, get moving and learn how to incorporate a healthy, active lifestyle into their daily lives.

For our Mayor, creating a community that embraces the health and fitness of Okanagan children is of great importance.

“With a more sedentary lifestyle, many of our children are no longer getting the recommended amounts of daily exercise,” explains Mayor Basran. “So today it is more important than ever that we demonstrate healthy lifestyle choices for our children to follow to ensure a vital and prosperous local community for years to come.”

According to the ParticipACTION Pulse Report released last week, Canadians know physical inactivity is a big problem that is putting their health at risk. Of those surveyed, 83 per cent rate it as the most serious health issue facing society, and 82 per cent think the only way to be physically active is for it to become a habit. In addition, 75 per cent believe that parents play a huge role in solving the physical inactivity problem in Canada. Competing priorities, lack of work/life balance, and money are key barriers for parents in today’s society and the Y is working to make it easier for parents to live healthier each day.

“More and more, we are seeing families struggle to balance work, family and health,” explains Erica Marshall, Marketing and Communications Manager at the YMCA of Okanagan. “Healthy Kids Day offers a wealth of resources to equip parents with ways to easily incorporate healthy living into their family’s daily routines. It is also a great way for kids to get active, explore new interests, and bring a little play back into their lives.”

Come dressed to run, jump, swim and play on Sunday, April 29. FREE activities taking place inside and outside the Kelowna Family YMCA include an entertaining, interactive main stage, over 40 activity stations with games, crafts and more, giant inflatables, plus a nutritious BBQ and healthy snacks for everyone who attends.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is generously sponsored by organizations including presenting sponsor, Interior Savings Credit Union, as well as Save on Foods, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Now, Cre8ed Clothing, SunRype and many more, all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of kids and their families in the Okanagan.

For more information on YMCA Healthy Kids Day, you can follow the event on Facebook or visit ymcaokanagan.ca.